Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1887-01-31

| Is that with all his stories and tests, his
frank, companionable humor, his gift OF
easy accessibility and welcome, he was,
| even when he travelled the Eighth cir
cult, man of grave and unusual innate
dignity and reserve. He had few or no
special intimstes, and there was
line beyond which no one ever thought OF
passing. Besides, he was too strong 8
man in the courtroom to be regarded with
anything but respect in community IN
which legal ability was the only special
distinction. Few of his former speeches
have been preserved. but his contempor T.
les all agree as to their singular ability
and power. He seemed absolutely at
home in a courtroom; his great stature
did net incumber him there; it seemed
like natural symbol of superiority. HIS
bearing and gestiCulatiOn had no awS-
wardness about them; they were sim
ply striking and original. He as
sumed ct the start g frank and friendly
relation with the Jury, which was ex-
tremely effective. He usually began, as
the phrase ran, by "giviDg away his
case" by allowing TO the opposite side
every possible advantage that they uId
honestly and Justly claim. Then he would
present his own side of the case with a
clesTness, a candOr, an adrOitnesS OF
statement which a. once flattered and con
WINGED the Jury, and made even the by
ISLANDERS his partisans. Sometimes he
disturbed the court with laughter
by his humorous or apt illus
trations; sometimes he excited
the audience by that ford and eXubera t
rhetoric which he knew well enough how
and when to indulge In; but his more
usual and more successful manner was to
rely upon a clear, strong, lucid state
ment, keeping details in proper subor-
dination, and bringing forward, in way
which fastened the attention OF court and
jury alike, the essential point on which
he claimed a decision. Indeed" said
one of his colleagues, CHS statement
often rendered argument unnecessary,
and often the court would stop him ana
say, IF that is the case, we will hear the
other side.'''
Whatever doubts might be entertained
as to whether he was the ablest lawyer
on the circuit, there was never any dis
sent from the opinion that he WAS the one
most cordially and universally liked. If
he did not himself enjoy his full share OF
the happiness of life ne certainly diffuSed
more of it among his fellows than is in
the power of most men. His arrival was
little festival in the county seats where
his pursuits led him to pass so much of
his time. Several eye witnesses
have described these scenes in
terms which would seem eX-
aggerated if they we're not so fully
Confirmed. The bench and bar would
gather at the tavern where he was expect
ed, to give him cordial welcome. Says
one writer: "He brought light with him"
This is not hard TO understand. What
ever his cares, he never inflicted them
upon others. He talked singularly well,
but never about himself He was full of
wit which never wounded, of honor which
mellowed the harshness of that new and
raw life of the prairies He never asked
for help, but was always ready to give it.
He received everybody's confidence,
and Tar,l y gave his own in re-
turn. He took no mean advantages in court
or in conversation, and, satisfied with the
respect and kindness which he every
where met, he sought no quGrrels and
never had to decline them. He did not
accumulate wealth; as judge Davis said,
che seemed never to care for it." He had
a good income from his profession,
though the fees he received would bring
smile to the well-paid lips of the great
attorneys of to-day. The largest fee he
ever got was one of $4,000 from the Hi
nois Central Railway, and he had to bring
suit to compel them to pay it. He spent
what he received in the education of his
children, in the care of his family, and in
a plain and generous way of living.